The Bonnyville Pontiacs were at home for back-to-back games this past Friday and Saturday. Unfortunately the games did not go the way the team would have liked. They lost Friday to the Spruce Grove Saints 3-1, then lost again Saturday to the St. Albert Steel 3-2. The Pontiacs now sit third in the division and head south for a 12-day, four game road trip.
With a week off before Friday's game, it could be expected that the Pontiacs hit the ice with a bit of rust, but typically they are able to work through it and stay competitive, not on this night however. The Pontiacs were completely out-worked and out-played by the Saints Friday.
“I saw a lot of rust in our game, and we weren't able to fight through it,” head coach Chad Mercier said of his team. “When you play the best teams in the league you better be ready to play right from the drop of the puck and (the Saints) gave us a lesson tonight.”
Neither team had many chances in the first period, but by the second the Saints really started to outplay the Pontiacs. Luckily for the Pontiacs, they have arguably the best goalie in the league, Julien Laplante. He was able to keep the score at zero until the 14-minute mark. Surprisingly though, it was not the Saints breaking the tie. Pontiacs forward Matt Montesano was able to put one past the Saints goalie for the 1-0 lead.
But that was all for the Pontiacs. The Saints scored, tying it up eight minutes into the third, on a power play. Then only three minutes after that, they scored again, making it 2-1 for Spruce Grove. With the Pontiacs goalie pulled, Spruce Grove put the game away, scoring on the empty net.
“We didn't play the way we should have…everyone has to want it more,” Pontiacs forward Devon Kalinski said. “This is the result we worked for and this is what we got…we have to be a lot better tomorrow.”
Just as Kalinski said, the Pontiacs had to be a lot better Saturday, and they were. The Pontiacs were a completely different team from the one wearing their jerseys Friday night. They were flying all over the ice, getting shots on net and hitting everything that moved. They only gave up eight shots through two periods.
Not only were they fast and strong on defence, they were also able to capitalize on their chances.
Pontiacs assistant captain Dante Borrelli scored their first goal seven minutes into the second period, assisting on the goal were Ryan Kearns and Blake Leask. Only 17 seconds later Kalinski came rushing in down the wing and wired a slap-shot top shelf, over the glove of the Steel goaltender, making it 2-0, which is how the game ended.
Or, wait…that doesn't sound right, we're missing something.
Oh yes, the third period. A lot happened in that period, including two phantom calls – which resulted in six straight minutes of power play time for St. Albert.
The first call was made at centre ice. Marc-Antoine Juneau was battling along the boards for the puck, when both he and the Steel player fell to the ice. Both men had their sticks on the ice, going for the puck, yet Juneau was called for hooking. This penalty eventually led to the 2-1 goal.
As the goal was scored, a linesman called a high sticking penalty on Pontiacs forward Kevin Carthy. Video viewed after the game showed a Steel player went off balance after the shot was taken and fell towards Carthy, who was facing him. As the Steel player fell, his face made contact with Carthy's midsection. This caused the Steel player to fall to the ice. Based on the video, the linesman was looking away at this time. But, when he turned to the play he saw the Steel player on the ice, clutching his face and made the high sticking call. The Pontiacs had to kill another penalty, without one of their best penalty-killers, as he was in the box.
The penalty kill was unsuccessful, so with the game tied and the Pontiacs players a little out of sorts after giving up the lead, the Steel again took advantage. They scored the go-ahead goal on a shot down low, making it 3-2. The Pontiacs pulled their goalie and got a few chances, but it was to no avail, they were going to have to forget about this loss and move on.
The Pontiacs did not use the officiating as an excuse for the loss, saying they should have never let the power play goals in. Mercier said following the game, his team played excellent until the two penalties.
“We gave up nothing on net until their power plays, (the Steel) had no chances…but give them credit, they stuck with it and took advantage of the opportunities…at the end of the day you move on.”
Carthy, the Pontiacs acting captain, said it was tough a loss to take, especially after coming back so strong following Friday's game. “We really stepped our game up today, it's just too bad about the result.”
He admits his team could have came out harder in the third when they faced some “tough calls,” but said they still have to battle through it. He said the dressing room was pretty silent following the game, and the team will just have to come out stronger next game.
The Pontiacs now get on the bus for a lengthy road trip, beginning in Brooks Nov. 5 to face the Bandits at 7 p.m.
Brennan Volcan suffered a minor knee injury Friday and is out of the lineup. He is listed as day-to-day. Pontiacs captain Michael Westfall and teammate Donnie Harris remain out of the lineup with shoulder injuries.
See this week's sports column for more on the Pontiacs.
